Memory Lane – Demo Day Raft – May 2010

Looking back….we can tell a tree’s story…..admire an image…..capture a moment…..remember a special event…..be inspired – to create a memory for tomorrow.

I hope you enjoy this regular peep into some of John’s bonsai history.

Memory Lane – Demo Day Raft – May 2010

In the past we have hosted a number of demonstration days…..the chance for us to work on a variety of material and projects to try and inspire an interested audience of students and visitors.

This Juniper raft project was half of a Demo Day held in May 2010. The Juniper Ittogawa had grown somewhat leggy and at this stage did not lend itself for the creation of an individual tree.

The lump of driftwood had been acquired at some time in the past whilst out walking the dogs in nearby woodland. It would stand unsupported on several sides and so presented several options for incorporating into a styling project.

I had decided to bring the two together using the raft technique to give the impression of a small forest growing on a rocky outcrop or mountain ledge. It was case of deciding how to match the two together to get the best and most convincing result.

The individual shoots on the Juniper had to be wired. Hooks were fastened to the driftwood so that the Juniper could be securely held in place. Keto was used to form the compost and cover the driftwood to sustain the existing roots and enable new roots to develop from the buried sections of the trunk.

It was a pleasing result obtained from two innocuous pieces of material that are relatively cheap and obtainable by most bonsai enthusiasts. Together they have the potential to become a good bonsai. The purpose of a demo is not just to educate your audience but hopefully to inspire them to get their hands dirty and have a go themselves……remember this next time you are out walking!